The Department of Health Policy and Management

ACADEMICS

FULL-TIME PROGRAM

The typical full-time course of study for management, policy and EOR students, spans three semesters and a summer practicum, lasting a total of 16 months. This format is generally for students with little or no health-related work experience. Students who enter the Global Track are required to have a minimum of one year of international work experience after graduating from college. Global students undertake a six month practicum and complete the program in two years. All full-time HPM students take Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Sciences, Issues and Approaches in Health Policy and Management, Health Economics, and the Practicum Seminar.

Full-time students select one of four concentrations:

Each concentration includes different course requirements. The EOR Track combines the resources of our department with methodological training in biostatistics and epidemiology. Students learn to assess the effectiveness of health care interventions, especially for their effects on health outcomes. The EOR focus on cost implications of alternative strategies has assumed increasing importance for health care policy makers and managers.

An intensive version of the program lasting twelve months is available. Individuals selecting this option are usually medical students and residents.

PART-TIME COLUMBIA-ON-THE-JOB (COTJ)

Columbia-on-the Job is for employed individuals with at least one year of work experience. Much of the educational program is problem based, using case studies and problem solving exercises to enhance student participation and encourage the exchange of ideas and insights. Students are exposed to concepts and practices of group processes to enhance peer interactions and to encourage the development of colleague support networks.

The typical COTJ student does not have a concentration; the course of study includes the basics of management, policy, and effectiveness and outcomes research. However, a COTJ student can choose to follow a part-time version of the full-time course of study if they are willing to register for several daytime courses. Part-time students attend classes two to three evenings per week over 28 months.

COTJ students meet the practicum requirement through their work experience and are required to submit a practicum report.